Three-legged support for machine guns



Sept. 17, 1929. w c HAUBROE 1,728,757

- THREE-LEGGED SUPPORT FOR MACHINE GUNS Filed April 16. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l \NVENTOR Wanna Cumsnau Lassa Hanna:

HTTORNE Y 5 Sept. 17, 1929. w. c. L. HAUBROE 1,728,757

THREB-LEGGED SUPPORT FOR MACHINE GUNS Filed April 16. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V E N T R Waanaa Cumsnm Lnsssu HHUBROE tqmame'z (5M HTTORNEYS p 17, 1929- w. c. L. HAUBROE 1,728,757

THREB'LEGGED SUPPORT FOR MACHINE GUNS Filed April 16, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I NV ENTOR WERNER C L. Hnuono Patented Sept. 17, 1929 1,728,757

UNETE STATES PATENT QFFECE WERNER CHRISTIAN LASSEN HAUBEOE, OF COPENHAGEN, DENMARK THREE-LLEGGED SUPPORT FOR MACHINE GUNS Application filed April 16, 1928. Serial No. 270,249.

The invention relates to a three-legged supter there is hinged a strapping device 6 in port for machine guns, the said support being which the front end of the machine gun 7 arranged in such a manner that the gun durmay rest and remain attached. 8 is the front ing firing can recoil to such an extent that leg of the support and is adapted to swing any displacement of the support from the about the shaft 34. The trunnion 3 is rotat- 55 position in which it is placed may be avoided, able about its own axis in the bearing block since the entire gun by the recoiling motion and in a bore 36 in the shaft 34. The latter slides rearward on the support in the plane is fitted at each end with an axial bore 42 and in which it has been adjusted and, after com- 43. In the bore 43, Fig. 4, there is inserted a pletion of the recoil motion, is advanced bolt 37 which is encircled by a helical spring 60 again into the normal position. The support 49 maintained in compression between a head proper remains thus unaffected by the recoil 50 on the bolt 37 and a ring 51 fixed by means motion of the gun, for which reason the accuof a pin 52 in the bore 43 of the shaft 34. At racy of the firing will be as great as possible. the end facing towards the right in Fig. 4 the 15 The support itself is arranged in such a manshaft 34 is fitted with a neck 53 encircled by a 65 Her that one of its legs is directed forward, sleeve 55 with a flange 54, the said sleeve beand two of the legs are directed rearward, ing connected to the shaft 34 by means of a and all the legs may be adjusted independrod 56 disposed parallel to the axis of the ently of each other, and may be swung inshaft and engaging longitudinal grooves 60 20 ward alongside the stock, so that the support and 61 in the shaft and the sleeve respectively, when folded together may easily be carried in such a manner that the latter cannot roby the men during their advancement to or tate relatively to the shaft, but the sleeve is retreat from a position. free to slide on the shaft. The rod 56 is at- On the drawing: tached to the shaft 34 by means of the pin 52.

25 Fig. 1 shows the support, in side elevation, On to the outer end of the bolt 37 there is with the gun attached thereto in firing posi screwed a nut 57 pressing against the end tion, face of the sleeve 55. On the outside of the Fig. 2 the support, in top view, without the sleeve 55 there is provided a flange ring 44 machine gun, fitted at two diametrically opposite points Figs. 3 and 4 the front guiding device for with projecting lugs 45. The ange ring is so the gun on the support, in vertical longitudiattached to the sleeve 55 by means of a pin 58 nal section and in cross-section, respectively, passing through the flange 54. The lugs 45,

Fig. 5 a section along the line VV of Fig. 5, fit into one or the other of two pairs of Fig. 4, notches 46 and 47 in the outer-edge of the 3.; Figs. 6 and 7 the rear guide of the gun on corresponding bearing 2. Into the bore 42 the support, in partly sectional top View and of the shaft 34 there is screwed a plug 49. in section along the line VIIVII of Fig. 6, By this construction the bolt 37 is connected respectively, and with the bearing 2 in the position shown in Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the device show- Fig. l, in which position the projections 45 4o ing the same in position for anti-aircraft fire. engage the notches 46 in said bearing. How- The support consists of a stock 1, Figs. 1 ever, if the support is to be used in an upright and 2, which is formed by two bars fitted each position, as shown in Fig. 8, the position of at front with a bearing 2 for a horizontal the sliding rail 5 in relation to the stock 1 shaft 34, Figs. 3 and 4, which midways bemust be altered. Consequently, the bolt 37 5 tween the bearings 2 is encircled by a bearing together with the sleeve 55, is drawn to the block 35 for a trunnion 3, which is held in right in Fig. 4, whereby the projections 45 position in the bearing block by means of a are removed from the notches 46 in the bearring 3 fixed on the lower end of the truning 2, whereupon the sleeve is turned until nion, and which is fitted at top, with a guidthe projections 45 come opposite the notches ing member 4 for a sliding rail 5. To the lat 47 in said bearing and enter said notches lit) The sliding rail 5 is then in the proper position with relation to the stock which is necessary for usi the support in an upright position.

To the leg 8 there is hinged a rod 9 passing through a sleeve 10, which is disposed on 'he stock 1, Fig. 2, and in which the rod may e pinched by means of a pinching device 1. On the rod 9 there is disposed, between he sleeve 10 and a handle 12, a helical spring 3 serving to facilitate the return motion of :he leg into folded position. The stock 1 is itted, at rear, with a curved frame 14, and to each of the rear corners of the same a leg is attached. Each of these legs is pivoted about its pin 16 and may be fixed to the frame 14 by means of a pinching device 17. The rear member 14' of the frame is fitted with a graduation 14, and two adjustable and fixable stops 18 and 19 are provided on the said frame member. The frame 14 serves as a guiding frame for a supporting frame 20 adapted to slide along the latter and to support the rear supporting post 21 of the gun 7, the length of which post may be increased or reduced in order to adjust the machine gun to the desired elevation. The bottom end of the supporting post 21 is connected to a sliding carriage 22 adapted to slide rearward or forward on the side pieces of the supporting frame 20, the end pieces 23 of the said carriage being sleeve-shaped, each encircling one of the side pieces which latter are formed each of two telescoping tubes 20 and 20", Figs. 6 and 7. In the side of the pipes 20 and 20" facing the central piece of the carriage there is provided a longitudinal slot 28 giving passage for a pin 24, Fig. 6, in firm connection with the central piece. the said pin being fitted inside of the side pieces with a flat heat 25 engaged by two helical springs, viz an advancing spring 26 and a buffer spring 27. Each of the side pieces of the supporting frame is fitted at front with a shoe 29 resting against the front member of the frame 14. At rear the supporting frame 20 is fitted with a clip 30 which engages the rear frame member 14, and is adapted to be fastened thereto by means of a pinching device 31. The sup orting frame 14 is further fitted with a handle 32 in which there is journalled a finger lever 33 connect ed to the trigger of the gun by means of a Bewden cable 38.

VJ hen the support is to be transported, the front leg 8 is folded up between the legs of the stock 1, while the rear legs 15 are swung up each alongside one of the bars of the stock. In this folded position the legs are secured by means of the pinching members 11 and 17, respectively. When thus folded together the support may be carried conveniently by one man introducing his arms below carrying straps attached to eyelets 39 on the stock.

When the support is to be erected for action. the pinching devices 11 and 17 are released, nd the front leg 8 is adjusted by means of the rod 9 in a suitable position, in which it is fixed by tightening the pinching device 11 against the rod 9. Each of the two rear legs 15 is then adjusted in the position fitting best to the ground, and is fired by means of the pinching devices 17 while the sliding rail 5 is adjusted into the position shown in Fig. 1 in which the projections on the sleeve of the shaft 34 engage the notches 46 in the edge of the bearing 2. Finally the machine gun 7 is placed on to the thus erected su wort the front end of the un is fixed in the strapping device 6, and the butt-end is fixed to the supporting post 21, whereafter the elevation is adjusted by adjustment of the length of the supporting post 21. During the firing the machine gun moves alternately back and forth in the plane in which it has been placed, the supporting post 21 carrying along the sliding carriage 22 on the supporting frame 20, while the advancing springs 26 of the carriage become compressed when the latter is moved rearward and again advance the carriage and, thereby, the gun after the recoil motion. During the forward motion the springs 27 act as buffer springs. During this rearward and forward motion the sliding rail 5 slides on the guiding member 4, so that the motion of the gun during tiring will have no effect on the support itself.

If the firing has to be performed automatically, the trigger of the gun is maintained pressed towards the r ar by pressing the finger lever 33 against the handle 32. If during the firing the machine gun is to be moved, within certain limits, from one side to the other, thenthe pinching device 31 is released, and the supporting frame 20 may then be moved alternately to the right and to the left in the frame 14, against the stops 18 and 19 respectively.

Besides for firing in horizontal position the support may also be used, as hereinbefore stated, for firing against objects in the air and then in upright position, the legs 15 being swung sons to come in line with the stock, while the leg 8 is swung in between the bars of the stock, the supporting post 21 being at the same time detached from connection with the machine gun, as shown in Fig. 8. The sliding rail 5 is then adjusted in such a manner that the projecting lugs 45 of the sleeve 55 will engage the notches 47 in the bearing 2. This adjustment is effected by moving the sleeve 55 to the right in Fig. 4, whereby the helical spring 49 will be compressed. When the sleeve has been displaced so far that the lugs 45 come clear of the notches 45, then the sleeve, and thereby the shaft 34, is turned S0 far that the lugs 45 come opposite the notches 47 in the bearing 2, whereafter the helical spring 49 returns the sleeve 55, and the lugs enter then into the notches 47. The support is held in the upright position by one of the men, and the gunner may then freely move the gun all the way around the support, so that he may fire in all directions, while the gun is pivoted about the trunnion 3 which latter when the support is used in upright position will occupy a vertical position, same as in the position of the support shown in Fig. 1, while the firing may now be effected at any elevation desired, since the gun is solely connected to the support by means of the above mentioned trunnion.

Having thus described my invention, what- I claim is 1. A support for machine guns, comprising a stock having at one end a bearing block and at its opposite end a curved frame disposed transversely of the stock, a trunnion mounted for rotation in said bearing block and carrying a guiding member, a rail mounted on said guiding member for sliding movement forward and rearward, a supporting frame mounted on said curved frame for movement transversely of the stock, a carriage mounted on said supporting frame for sliding movement longitudinally of the stock, a longitudinally adjustable supporting post secured to said carriage and adapted to support the rear end of a gun, and a clamping device carried by said sliding rail and adapted to clamp the gun in position at its opposite end.

2. A support for machine guns, comprising a stock having at one end a bearing block and at its opposite end a curved frame dis posed transversely of the stock, a trunnion mounted for rotation in said bearing block and carrying a guiding member, a rail mounted on said guiding member for sliding movement forward and rearward, a supporting frame mounted on said curved frame for movement transversely of the stock, a carriage mounted on said supporting frame for sliding movement longitudinally of the stock, helical springs for actuating said carriage and helical springs acting as buffers for said carriage, a longitudinally adjustable supporting post secured to said carriage and adapted to support the rear end of a gun, and a clamping device carried by said sliding rail and adapted to clamp the gun in position at its opposite end.

3. A support for machine guns, comprising a stock having at one end a bearing block and at its opposite end a curved frame disposed transversely of the stock, three legs pivotally connected to said stock and adapted to be folded into approximate parallelism therewith, means for clamping said legs in folded and unfolded position, a trunnion mounted for rotation in said bearing block and carrying a guiding member, a rail mounted on said guiding member for sliding movement forward and rearward, a supporting frame mounted on said curved frame for movement transversely of the stock, a carriage mounted on said supporting frame for sliding movement longitudinally of the stock, a longitudinally adjustable supporting post secured to said carriage and adapted to support the rear end of a gun, and a clamping device carried by said sliding rail and adapted to clamp the gun in position at its opposite end.

4. A support for machine guns, comprising a stock having at one end a bearing block and at its opposite end a curved frame disposed transversely of the stock, three legs pivotally connected to said stock and adapted to be folded into approximate parallelism therewith, a sleeve carried by said stock, a bar hinged to one of said legs and passing through said sleeve, a clamping device carried by said sleeve for securing said rod with the legs in folded and unfolded position, a spring carried by the rod and adapted to facilitate the return of the legs to folded position a trunnion mounted for rotation in said bearing block and carrying a guiding member, a rail mounted on said guiding member for sliding movement forward and rearward, a. supporting frame mounted on said curved frame for movement transversely of the stock, a carriage mounted on said supporting frame for sliding movement longitudinally of the stock, a longitudinally adjustable supporting post secured to said carriage and adapted to support the rear end of a gun, and a clamping device carried by said sliding rail and adapted to clamp the gun in position at its opposite end.

5. A support for machine guns, comprising a stock having at One end a pair of bearings and at its opposite end a curved frame disposed transversely of the stock, a shaft mounted in said bearings, a bearing block supported on said shaft, a leg pivoted on the shaft, a trunnion disposed in an opening in said shaft and carrying a guiding member, the shaft being adjustable in said bearings thereby to permit variation of the position of the trunnion relative to the sup 'iort, a rail mounted on said guiding member for sliding movement forward and rearward, a supporting frame mounted on said curved frame for movement transversely of the stock, a carriage mounted on said sup 'mrting frame for sliding movement longitudinally of the stock, a longitudinally adjustable supporting post secured to said carriage and adapted to support the rear end of a gun, and a clamping device carried by said sliding rail and adapted to clamp the gun in position at its opposite end.

6. A support for machine guns, comprising a stock having at one end a pair of bearings and at its opposite end a curved frame disposed transversely of the stock, a shaft mounted in said bearings, a helical spring normally retaining said shaft in a predetermined relative position, means for changing the position of the shaft against the tension of said spring, a bearing block supported on said shaft, a trunnion mounted in an opening in said shaft, a guiding member carried by said trunnion, a rail mounted on said guiding member for sliding movement forward and rearward, a supporting frame mounted on said curved frame for movement transversely of the stock, a carriage mounted on said supporting frame for sliding movement longitudinally of the stock, a longitudinally adjustable supporting post secured to said carriage and adapted to support the rear end of a gun. and a clamp Ill) ing device carried by said sliding rail and adapted to clamp the gun in position at its opposite end.

In testimony whereof I have signed my wine to this specification.

WERNER CHRISTIAN LASSEN HAUBROE. 

